What is Postliberal Theology?

Postliberal Theology, also known as narrative theology, emerged in the late 20th century as a reaction against both liberal theology and conservative evangelicalism. It seeks to return to the narratives and practices of the Christian faith as the primary context for theological reflection. Postliberal theologians emphasize the communal and narrative aspects of Christianity, arguing that Christian doctrines should be understood within the context of the Church’s story rather than through abstract, universal principles. This approach seeks to reclaim the uniqueness of the Christian tradition in a pluralistic world.

Historical Context of Postliberal Theology

The Reaction Against Liberal Theology

Liberal theology, which gained prominence in the 19th and early 20th centuries, sought to reconcile Christian faith with modern scientific and historical understanding. It often emphasized the ethical teachings of Jesus and viewed doctrines as adaptable to contemporary insights. However, by the mid-20th century, liberal theology faced criticism for diluting the distinctiveness of Christian faith and becoming too aligned with secular humanism.

Historical Reference: Friedrich Schleiermacher, often considered the father of liberal theology, emphasized the importance of individual religious experience and sought to make Christianity credible in the modern world. This approach, while influential, was seen by postliberal theologians as compromising the integrity of Christian doctrine.

The Emergence of Postliberal Theology

Postliberal theology arose as a response to both the perceived shortcomings of liberal theology and the perceived rigidity of conservative evangelicalism. It was heavily influenced by the works of theologians like Hans Frei and George Lindbeck.

1. Hans Frei: Hans Frei’s work on biblical hermeneutics and narrative theology emphasized the importance of understanding the Bible as a coherent story that shapes the identity and practices of the Christian community. Frei argued against the historical-critical method that dominated liberal theology, which he believed fragmented the biblical narrative.
   

   Historical Reference: Frei’s seminal work, The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative (1974), critiques the historical-critical method and advocates for a return to reading the Bible as a unified narrative.

2. George Lindbeck: Lindbeck’s The Nature of Doctrine (1984) introduced a cultural-linguistic approach to theology, arguing that doctrines function as rules for Christian language and practice rather than as propositional truths or expressions of religious experience. This approach highlights the role of the Church community in shaping and maintaining doctrinal truth.
   

   Historical Reference: Lindbeck’s The Nature of Doctrine is a foundational text for postliberal theology, proposing that doctrines should be understood within the framework of the Church’s narrative and practices.

Influence of Philosophical and Theological Movements

Postliberal theology has been influenced by various philosophical and theological movements, including:

1. Wittgensteinian Philosophy: Ludwig Wittgenstein’s later philosophy, particularly his concept of language games, has been influential in shaping the postliberal emphasis on the communal and contextual nature of religious language.
   

   Philosophical Reference: Wittgenstein’s idea that the meaning of words is determined by their use within particular forms of life resonates with the postliberal view that theological language derives its meaning from the practices and narratives of the Christian community.

2. Barthian Theology: Karl Barth’s emphasis on the primacy of revelation and the distinctiveness of Christian doctrine also influenced postliberal theologians, who share Barth’s concern for maintaining the integrity of the Christian faith in a secular world.
   

   Theological Reference: Barth’s Church Dogmatics emphasizes the centrality of Christ and the Word of God in theology, rejecting natural theology and liberal attempts to accommodate Christianity to modern culture. This emphasis on the uniqueness of Christian revelation aligns with postliberal concerns.

Key Leaders and Their Thoughts on Postliberal Theology

1. Hans Frei: Frei’s narrative theology emphasizes the importance of reading the Bible as a continuous narrative that shapes the identity and practices of the Christian community. He argued that the truth of the Bible is found in its narrative coherence rather than in historical accuracy or doctrinal propositions.
   

   Historical Reference: Frei’s The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative argues that modern biblical scholarship has lost sight of the narrative unity of Scripture, leading to a fragmented understanding of the Bible.

2. George Lindbeck: Lindbeck’s cultural-linguistic approach views doctrines as regulative rules that govern the language and practice of the Christian community. He contends that theological statements should be understood within the context of the Church’s narrative rather than as abstract, universal truths.
   

   Theological Reference: In The Nature of Doctrine, Lindbeck critiques both cognitive-propositional and experiential-expressive approaches to theology, advocating for a focus on the communal and narrative dimensions of faith.

3. Stanley Hauerwas: A prominent ethicist and theologian, Hauerwas emphasizes the role of the Christian community in shaping moral and theological understanding. He argues that Christian ethics cannot be separated from the practices and narratives of the Church.
   

   Theological Reference: Hauerwas’s works, such as Resident Aliens (co-authored with William Willimon), emphasize the countercultural nature of the Christian community and the importance of living out the narrative of Scripture in daily life.

Impact on Christian Doctrine

Postliberal theology has had a significant impact on various aspects of Christian doctrine and practice.

Doctrine of Scripture

Postliberal theology encourages a return to reading the Bible as a coherent narrative that shapes the identity of the Christian community. This approach contrasts with both liberal historical-critical methods and conservative literalist readings.

Biblical Reference: 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This passage underscores the formative role of Scripture, which postliberal theologians emphasize through their narrative approach.

Ecclesiology

Postliberal theology places a strong emphasis on the Church as the primary context for theological reflection. The Church is seen as a community that embodies and lives out the narrative of Scripture, shaping the beliefs and practices of its members.

Biblical Reference: Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This verse highlights the communal and formative aspects of early Christian life, which postliberal theology seeks to recover.

Doctrine of Doctrine

Postliberal theology redefines the nature of doctrine, viewing it as the regulative rules that guide the life and language of the Christian community. This perspective contrasts with views that see doctrine as either propositional truths or expressions of religious experience.

Theological Reflection: Postliberal theology’s cultural-linguistic approach to doctrine aligns with the idea that theological statements are best understood within the context of the Church’s narrative and practices, rather than as abstract propositions.

Relevant Biblical References

Parables as Narrative Theology

Jesus’ use of parables can be seen as an early form of narrative theology, where stories are used to convey deep spiritual truths and shape the understanding of His listeners.

Biblical Reference: Matthew 13:34-35: “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.'” This passage highlights the role of narrative in Jesus’ teaching, which resonates with the postliberal emphasis on narrative theology.

The Role of Community

The New Testament emphasizes the importance of the Christian community in shaping and sustaining faith. This aligns with the postliberal emphasis on the communal and narrative dimensions of theology.

Biblical Reference: Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” This passage underscores the importance of the Christian community in nurturing faith and practice.

Reflection of God’s Love and the Teachings of Jesus

Postliberal theology, with its emphasis on narrative and community, reflects God’s love and the teachings of Jesus by highlighting the importance of living out the story of faith within the context of the Church. This approach encourages believers to see their lives as part of the broader narrative of God’s redemptive work, fostering a deeper sense of identity and purpose.

God’s Love in Community

Postliberal theology emphasizes that God’s love is experienced and expressed within the Christian community. By participating in the life of the Church, believers encounter God’s grace and are shaped by the practices and narratives that define their faith.

Biblical Reference: John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This command underscores the communal nature of Christian love, which is central to postliberal theology.

Teachings of Jesus Through Narrative

Jesus’ use of parables and His emphasis on the Kingdom of God illustrate the importance of narrative in conveying theological truths. Postliberal theology seeks to recover this narrative focus, encouraging believers to immerse themselves in the stories of Scripture and allow them to shape their lives.